Peter had errands to run all day, so Patrick (RN) was seeing patients. He only needed consultation with 2 of them. We had some ugly wounds and rashes, some tropical ulcers, a really, really bad asthmatic baby (probably with pneumonia to boot!) where Luke had to do the bicycle pump to give the little one two updrafts. This clinic desperately needs a nebulizer! We had several patients (5 at least, I think) whose hemoglobin was less that 5. One boy was at a 3 and he looked like he was going to die, and I am sure he felt like he was going to die! They were short handed, so Luke helped with triage. Kelley did tons of wound care (I will spare you the gory photos, but just know that maggots were crawling out of one of the wounds!). She also did lots of injections. Joey worked hard in the pharmacy as they were short Angella. She was also circulating when she had a break to the the photos. We all started out the day counting pills before the patients came in. It was a long day at the clinic.
Then we drove to the hospital, and a young lady fell off the back of a bicycle taxi right in front of the car. She jumped right up and I was very thankful I was going slow so I did not run over her! Driving in Malawi is always a challenge. Other than that, we made it safely to the hospital and all gave a unit of blood. They had NO blood, anyone needing blood had to go find their own donors. The lab guy was very grateful that we came and donated. I mean, he was gushing.... I haven't been able to donate blood in the US for 10 years due to travel to Africa, Kelley for several years and Joey for years and years since she spent time in England during the mad cow outbreak. I will ask you, the reader of the blog, this question: can YOU donate? If so, I recommend it. You can save lives!
This morning (Sat) we drove back to Lilongwe. Of course, we stopped at Phillip the drum-maker to pick up some hand carved musical instruments (one for me, one for Kelley, as Luke as bought his only one earlier in the week), the to the chitenze market and bought soeme chitenzes. There is food there, too, so we bought some dried beans, curry powder, and Luke bought some baked snacks of some sort. On the road home, we stopped at the roadside co-op for fresh tomatoes, onions and a pumpkin. It was a good trip home - safe and sound we have arrived!
If you are moved by this story and / or the photos, considering donating to Pothawira. Money for the clinic for supplies or to hire more staff (a desperate need) go the Global Health Innovations and note that your donation is for Pothawira. If the orphans touch your heart, go to Global Orphan Project and give, again making sure that you note it is for Pothawira. You can find more information online at Pothawira Village, Malawi. As of today, they had 128 orphans, but that number can grow quickly, as children find themselve without parents and are dropped off at the orphanage!
Enjoy the photos!
Emma Maseko, the woman who keeps the orphanage running smoothly! And knows all the kids!
The kids in the orphanage are grouped into family units - each duplex is supposed to have 10 kids per side with one 'mommy'. Sometimes... well, most times, there are more than 10 kids. However, they are taught to do chores, to help care for the younger kids, and to wash the pots and pans after meals (along with their plates). Here they are washing a cooking pot. They use the sand as a scouring tool.
Temwa. nurse manning pharmacy. They pass the books in through the window (the book is the health passport, prescriptions are written in that), and she passes the medicines out through the window
This is Christopher. Pray for him. He is about 12, has sever malaria and a hemoglobin of 3. That can be fatal. He was miserable. We started his malaria treatment in the clinic but then told them to go to Salima district hospital for a blood transfusion. Kelley even gave Mom transport money. Yes, the stretcher has no sheet and he is sharing with another patient BUT it is wiped down between patients. Pothawira needs to have the funds to move the break room to the new birthing center and take over the current break room for an additonal treatment room. Right now, wound care, injections, sick kids, all are in the same area which only has this one stretcher. When you are seeing 200-300 patients a day, you just need more room!
My little exam room, checking out the mouth sores (a common sign of malaria) in this wee one.
Kelley with Phillip. They are each holding a sort of tamborine he made using bottle caps for the noise maker. Interesting!
Our ever adventurous Luke, trying some sugar cane. He also bought and ate some baobob fruit (you suck the fibrous strands away from the seeds.)
Kelly, losing her mind in the pharmacy
Joey, who lost her mind long ago, taking a selfie in the pharmacy! Counting all those pills will make you nuts!
Bonnita, the receptionist at Pothawira.
One of the newer nurses, Tapiwa
Sutene, a nurse at the clinic
Triage lady (she doubles as a cleaner), taking vital signs. She knows to bring anyone back to see doctor / clinical officer or nurse with a high fever.
Luke helping with triage the day they were short handed. He is so awesome.
Peter and Emma Maseko, the backbones of Pothawira project
Patrick, nurse, who was seeing patients the day Peter had to go to Lilongwe to run errands and buy medications.
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